Michael Finucane (Fine Gael)

I thank all the speakers. Oireachtas representatives in most parts of the country have been under pressure on this issue. Senator John Phelan is correct that the motion was on the Order Paper for some time. When it was put on the Order Paper we tried to ensure we got cross-party support for it. We expressed our concern, which had been expressed by most people here, and asked for a review of the national guidelines and for the Radiological Protection Institute to monitor emissions from telecommunication masts and other installations that emit ionising and non-ionising radiation. Monitoring by the RPI was recommended by the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Communications, Marine and National Resources. As the RPI was responsible for that activity, we felt it would carry much respect with people regarding its work on the masts and any emissions from them.

We used the plural "houses" because we are conscious of concentrations of houses together, schools, community centres or areas that attract a large population. This was stitched into the record. We are particularly concerned about primary school children, but also older children. In his statement the Minister said, "Under section 28 of the Planning and Development Act 2000, planning authorities are required to have regard to any ministerial guidelines in the performance of their functions". He also said, "The guidelines further advise that free-standing masts should only be located in a residential area or beside schools as a last resort and if all the alternatives are unavailable or unsuitable". The guidelines should be more definitive. They should specify that no mobile telephone masts should be erected near schools, community centres or areas of high population density.

I go further than that. Mobile telephone companies must go through the planning process to erect their masts and all the attendant apparatus and this allows people to put forward their objections to the siting of the mast. At least there is a process to go through. However, because of a decision made in 2000, it is possible for the OPW, or any Government body or Garda station to erect huge masts with transmitters and antennae without allowing the community to protest. Garda stations are usually surrounded by large urban areas. It is farcical and unjust. What happened in Scotland in 2001 should happen here. None of those masts, antennae or transmitters should be exempted from planning.